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WHITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12,1990, PAGE 15 *A Monthly Fashion and Beauty By Greg MacNeil up to date on what's hot and what's not on the H eading south this winter? Then you had better be beaches and streets of the sunny climes. - Perhaps the best news in this year's swimwear fashions is for women who have been a bit ap- prehensive about wearing that itsy-bitsy, teeney-weeney bikini. The current style for two-piece swim suits is designed to flatter the figure, as opposed to being so small there's little left to hide. According to Bonnie Ball of Calypso Fashion and Swim- wear in Oshawa, the high-waisted, two-piece swim suit is more popular than ever. "Women who haven't wom two picces in such a long time are back wearing them again," says Ball. Adina Weaver, of Paradise Island in Whitby's Pearson Lanes, agrees. "I think that swimwear has come a long way. They're more geared towards flattering the women." As the name suggests, the high-waisted suits are designed to cover the waist. Another style that's proving popular features a "coconut cup" top. "It draws the eye up away from the thighs and hips and up to your bustline and face," says Ball. This style helps to make the wearer look more proportional. Fact is, according to Ball, "Many women are heavier on the bottom than they àre on top." . One-piece swim suits still enjoy popularity. Weaver points to the cross-over style as being a big seller. Although some wilder colors like neon pink and orange are still en- joying some popularity this year, things are starting to change. "They're toning then down a lot this year," says Weaver. Purples, golds and silvers are be- coming the dominant colors in swimwear. Cotton and lycra are still the most predominant fabrics in swimwear, al- though "tactel" is start- ing to prove popular. Ball explains, "Tactel is a nylon, it doesn't really stretch a lot, but they've done some really amaz- ing things nwith it." Tactel is now found in many fashions including men's and women's swimwear, as well as jackets, pants and shorts. Tactel is available in very bright and vibrant colors and is machine- washable and easy to care for. "It's all over this year," says Ball. Weaver offers a caution when it comes to,your cotton swimwear. "You should hand wash it and don't' throw it in the dryer." Cost is always a consideration. According to Weaver the average price for a woman's swim suit is in the $50 to $120 range. fter being at a standstill for years, men's swimwear is finally taking on some new looks, with new and trendy styles and more color selection. "I can sec that it's really doing a turnaround," says Ball. In the past it was difficult to find a men's bathing suit in any color but the standard red, white or blue. 'This year it's going to bc brights," assures Bail. Also, spring/fall colors such as rust and olive green are turning heads at the beach. Cruisewcar, including sundresses, cover- ups, skirts, shorts and just about every- thing else worn off the beach, is another important consideration when packing for that vacation in the sun. "Hoods are big this year," says Ball, re- ferring to both men's and women's cruise wear fashions. The hoods are found primarily in cover-ups. They're also handy for those unexpected tropical downpours. Again, there scems to be more choice now for the man. "They're really going fashion forward," says Ball of the new men's styles. One thing both Weaver and Ball have noticed, is that people buying fashions for their vacation tend to purchase things they wouldn't necessarily wear in their own backyard. "People heading south tend to go for more of a risque bathing suit," says Wcaver, adding, "They have a more carefrce attitude when they're shopping." on sou